Storm Warning Issued for Southern Tier Begins at NoonThe National Weather Service upgraded the winter storm watch into a storm warning and it goes on from noon today until 4 p.m. tomorrow. Please avoid travel during this time. A heavy 12 to 20 inches of snow will be dumped onto Steuben and 10 other counties in the Southern Tier and Central New York regions. Cold weather will continue after the storm watch when temperatures for Sunday and Monday nights are expected to drop into the single digits and bitter wind chills will be dangerous.

Howard Town Board Audited by NYSAn audit for the Howard Town Board has been issued by New York State. It was found that Howard Town Board did not adopt reserve or budgeting policies, multiyear financial and capital plans or a fund balance account. The audit finds that the Board’s management of fund balance was not effective and as a result, general and highway fund balances increased significantly between the fiscal years of 2015 to 2017. The audit encouraged the town use surplus money to finance expenditures or reduce property taxes. Town officials say they agree to the conditions and will follow through to make this corrective action.

Executive Budget Proposes Full Tax Disclosure for State CandidatesGovernor Cuomo has made tax transparency for those running for public office a part of his 2019 Executive Budget. The New York State Governor called to mandate full disclosure of tax returns by candidates for public office. The proposal requires candidates running for statewide public office to disclose their federal and state tax returns from the last 10 years and mandates State Assembly and Senate candidates disclose 5 years of state and federal tax returns before they can be accepted on the general election ballot.

Addison Man Arrested Following IncidentSteuben County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of a 28-year-old Addison man for allegedly obstructing the breathing of another individual while in the presence of a child. Charles J. Johnson was charged with criminal obstruction of breathing and endangering the welfare of a child. Johnson was arraigned in the Town of Erwin Court and remanded to Steuben County Jail in lieu of $500 cash bail.

Buses and Tractor Trailers Banned for Travel Safety in Snow StormTo ensure travel safety as the first storm of the year approaches the Northeast, Governor Cuomo announced a ban for buses and tractor trailers on most highways in New York starting this afternoon at 3 p.m. and will continue until the end of the storm warning tomorrow afternoon. For us locally in the Twin Tiers, the ban covers the entirety of Interstate 86, and I-390 between I-86 and I-90 and is only issued for buses and tractor trailers. All other drivers are advised to stay home and off the road if at all possible.

Route 415 Construction Begins the End of MonthWork will begin later this month to replace a bridge on Route 415 over the Cohocton River in the town of Bath. Crews will also construct a roundabout at Route 53. DOT officials say work will begin January 28th on Route 415 from Route 53 to Campbell Creek Road in Bath. The DOT says the initial phase will be completed by the end of February with work suspended through the month of March and operations resuming in April. Construction operations will be performed using short term shoulder and possible lane closures between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Rumsey Announces Bath School District Activity CancellationsBath Central School District Superintendent Joe Rumsey announced that due to the impending snow storm and sub-zero temperatures, all school activities on and off-campus for Haverling will be cancelled from 11am today through 10am Monday. Rumsey noted this cancellation will allow for proper cleanup and wind-chill temperatures to subside. All normal activities will resume on 10am Monday and Rumsey reminds the students, parents and community to please stay safe and warm.